‘Dead man’ elected to office in US county

WASHINGTON: A man who died of cardiac arrest in the US state was elected to office in the coastal San Diego County city more than a month later.

Gary Ernst was elected to Oceanside City Treasurer by a six percent margin over challenger Nadine Scott. The election results are expected to be certified on December 7th by the city council.

Ernst died Sept. 23 which did not allow enough time to remove his name from the ballot.

City council members can declare the seat vacant since the winner cannot physically take office, according to Oceanside’s City Attorney John Mullen. That will lead to either an appointment or a special election.

If city leaders choose to appoint someone for two years, the decision must be made within 60 days, Mullen said.